Man Utd's 'new Andy Cole' tipped for 'brilliant future' by Bruno Fernandes

Like Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood before him, Anthony Elanga looks destined to become the next great Manchester United academy graduate.

Still just 19, Elanga has outgrown age-group football, scoring three times in as many Premier League 2 games this season.

After scoring his first goal for the senior side on the final day of last season, big things were expected of the Swedish-born forward.

Promoted into Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's squad for pre-season, Elanga did enough to show the United boss that Carrington - rather than out on loan - would be the best place for his development.

"He's electric, his pace, his skill, he's not afraid of anything and he's got the courage and the bravery of a Man United player," Solskjaer said during pre-season.

Anthony Elanga scored his first senior goal in the final-day win over Wolves last season ( Image:

Manchester United via Getty Imag)

"We know it's important for him to develop and get game-time, at the moment he's one of them we've not really decided on.

"If he keeps on like he is I might want to keep him."

And despite only playing 17 minutes this season, Elanga is still clearly highly thought of at Old Trafford, with Solskjaer comparing him to legendary striker Andy Cole.

Solskjaer knows all about Cole's talents, having played alongside him more than 100 times, including in the historic treble season in 1998/99.

On Cole's 50th birthday, the United manager was asked to compare his former strike partner with some current stars and it was Elanga who drew comparisons, thanks to his rapid pace.

"He was so sharp, so quick. I enjoyed playing with him because he had that pace.

Bruno Fernandes has tipped Elanga to have a massive future in the game

"Current strikers? They are different. Marcus Rashford and Anthony Elanga have that electric pace he had."

But it's not only the manager that has been left thoroughly impressed by the youngster's attitude and aptitude in training, with Bruno Fernandes also tipping him to have a massive future in the game.

"Elanga was already playing with us and this pre-season he has been brilliant. He's a nice kid, works hard and is really humble and I think he's deserving of everything that's happening to him.

"I see a brilliant future for him and Jimmy [James Garner] too, and also for all the other kids."

Fernandes added: "More than performing, he's training hard. Since last season when he came to the first team he has been training really hard and, as I said, being very, very humble.

"The way he trains and treats the people is really important to be part of the first team and that's why he's deserving of every chance he gets and every performance he has put in."

If Elanga can achieve a portion of what Cole achieved in the game, he will have had an excellent career, for now, it's all about continuing on the path which has everybody associated with United so excited.